KISSIMMEE, FL — A 28-year-old Massachusetts man is in custody after a month-long undercover operation revealed a disturbing history of interstate travel for the purpose of exploiting children. Canaan Boddie, of Worcester, was arrested on the morning of April 17, 2026, at a gas station in Osceola County after arriving for a planned meeting with someone he believed was a 14-year-old child.
The arrest was the culmination of a joint investigation by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) and the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, both operating as part of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
The Undercover Operation
The investigation began on March 8, 2026, when Boddie initiated contact on social media with a CCSO detective working in an undercover capacity. Despite being told the individual was only 14 years old, authorities say Boddie continued the dialogue, sent pornographic images, and eventually purchased a bus ticket to travel to Lake City to engage in sexual activity.
As the investigation developed, Boddie agreed to meet the undercover detective at a location in Osceola County. Detectives from both agencies coordinated to track Boddie’s departure from his residence and monitor his arrival at the designated meeting spot, where he was immediately apprehended.
Confessions of Prior Crimes
Following his arrest, Boddie provided a full confession to investigators. During the interview, he admitted to previous incidents involving the exploitation of minors, including:
- North Carolina: Traveling to meet a 15-year-old for sexual activity on multiple occasions.
- St. Petersburg, FL: Allegedly meeting a 12-year-old for sexual purposes.
Columbia County detectives are currently coordinating with law enforcement agencies in North Carolina and St. Petersburg to investigate these additional admissions.
Charges and Bond
Boddie faces several severe felony charges across two jurisdictions. In Columbia County, he is charged with Use of a Computer to Seduce or Lure a Child, Transmission of Information Harmful to Minors, and Transmission of Obscene Material to a Minor. In Osceola County, he faces an additional charge of Traveling to Meet a Minor.
His total bond has been set at $387,000. He remains in custody as authorities anticipate further criminal charges stemming from his admissions regarding past victims.
Agency Cooperation
Columbia County Sheriff’s officials extended their thanks to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office and the Central Florida ICAC Task Force, noting that their partnership was instrumental in the successful apprehension.